Andrew Digby

My conservation work with kākāpō and takahē pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in species recovery. Our team is applying cutting-edge technologies to monitor and manage these birds. We use remote sensing to monitor health, mating and nesting in the wild, while networked smart feeding stations ensure individuals reach optimal breeding weights. I’ve led a programme to sequence the genome of every kākāpō, creating the most complete genetic library of any species on earth. These data are used to optimize genetic management, rapidly sex chicks in the field, monitor birds using eDNA, and investigate genetic causes for disease and infertility.

But this is just the beginning. I’m asking the big questions to explore the future of conservation: how can we use these methods to ensure more efficient species recovery at larger scales. How do we switch from individual to population management of endangered species, ensuring that their recovery is sustainable and that many more species can be saved for the long term? Traditional methods cannot keep pace with biodiversity loss, so bold and innovative approaches are essential.

We’re also venturing into the unknown frontiers of animal behavior. Endangered species like kākāpō and takahē often live in fragmented habitats where they display unnatural behaviors. As the populations recover to natural levels and through remote bio-logging technology, we’re uncovering traits never seen before – like sociality in kākāpō – which is like discovering a new species. We’re restoring the mauri (life force) of these birds as they return to their natural state.

Ultimately, these efforts are about more than saving two birds. They’re about pioneering techniques and technologies that can transform conservation globally, ensuring that species recovery becomes faster, smarter, and more sustainable for generations to come.

I began my work in conservation by volunteering. Working at a local wildlife reserve monitoring native species, I became hooked and wanted to work in conservation full time. Coming from a background in physical sciences, I applied my less common skillset to make a meaningful impact, transitioning from analysing light in astronomy to sound in bioacoustics, I developed a PhD project using acoustic methods to advance kiwi conservation. That experience led me to work with two other iconic flightless birds—the kākāpō and takahē—where I continue to draw on my alternative career path to bring new ideas and insights to conservation.

One of my strongest motivations is fostering collaboration and multidisciplinary approaches. Some of our biggest breakthroughs have come from working with experts in completely different fields who have introduced new concepts and technologies. Conservation is too important and fundamental to our existence to be left to a small group of specialists. It requires the effort of all of society to reverse the biodiversity decline which threatens us all.

Working with indigenous Māori in New Zealand to protect their taonga (treasured species) has been particularly instructive. Their strong and authentic relationship with the natural world and deep knowledge that our lives are intertwined with the wildlife around us is inspirational. I hope that our work to save a small number of iconic species can help rekindle these connections in all cultures, and provide the inspiration and the techniques to save many more.